If you follow Andy Lee on Instagram, you'll know just how much he loves to spend time with his nieces and nephews. But that doesn't mean he wants kids of his own any time soon.
Speaking to Kate Langbroek on Mamamia's No Filter podcast in February, Lee said that he is constantly asked if he and his long-term partner, now fiancée, Rebecca Harding are planning on having kids.
He says his answer to that question has evolved over time, and continues to waver. This year though, there's one major joy about not having kids, says Lee.
"One thing I do love about not currently having kids is how available I am to my family. My mum, dad and I were down at the beach house the other day and they said, 'When are you going to start a family?' And I said, 'You realise you wouldn't be here in this beach house if I've had my own family and kids.' I think I spend so much time with them because of that [being child-free]," he explains.
Watch: Parenting 101. Post continues below.
"I love being available to people. It's something that I love with friends - being a reliable source to call upon. I do definitely worry that having my own family means that I give that up. [Having kids] could be the right decision at some point. People think that's selfish. But it's not, I get a lot of self-worth. And if anyone calls, I'm happy to go and work out what we need to do. To be a friend."
Of course, Lee notes that this doesn't mean those with kids can't be solid friends. But they undeniably have more commitments.
"It's all-consuming. Naturally, people turn inwards when they have their own kids."
Lee and Harding have been together for almost a decade now. They've celebrated plenty of milestones together, including buying a home and doing major renovations as a couple (aka stressful!). They are now engaged and also share a Welsh Terrier dog, Henri.
Recently Harding said to Sydney Morning Herald about their relationship: "I feel as though Andy's my best friend. We complement each other. I watch him love what he does every day. He is inspirational. Andy as I know him now is Andy from that first date. We share values, family is important to both of us and we get on really well."
Reflecting on his partner Harding's feelings about having kids, Lee tells No Filter he thinks she would be "an amazing mum", but they're at the stage of still deciding.
"There's no rub between Bec and I on that front. Because she also doesn't want them right now. This is the misconception."
In June 2024, Lee proposed to Bec, pretending to grab something out of a fireplace but actually grabbing a napkin and getting down on one knee.
The napkin was symbolic of their meet-cute, when Andy had written his email address on a napkin for her in the cafe where she worked.
The comedian and Australian television and radio personality used his signature humour to announce the engagement.
"I'd waited for 10 years for Bec to propose, and I thought, 'Bloody hell… I'm just going to have to do it,'" he joked.
Of course, this harks back to the many messages Lee has recieved over the years about whether he intended to tie the knot with Harding.
In 2023, Lee posted pictures of him and Harding together nine years apart in New York City. The comments on this post, like most of the others that feature Harding, were a river of diamond-ring emojis.
"Put a ring on it, mate!"
"I thought this was an engagement post. I am disappointed once again."
"Come on, Andy, it's time to get down with the diamond."
As the happy couple prepare for their nuptials, we can't help but wish them all the very best.
Feature Image: @andytomlee.
This post was originally published in February 2024 and has been updated since.
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